project fever

I have the project bug SO bad. It is like a sickness that is consuming me! I wake up in the night and my mind starts spinning with ideas of what awesome things to do to my house. One time at 3am, I re-designed my boys' whole room, and it is awesome. I want to start on it so bad but I must get control of my project A.D.D. and finish Preslie's room first.

Looky what I made! I am so excited. If you don't know what it is, I'll tell you.

It is an upholstered cushion for the window seat in Preslie's room. Yay! As I was sewing the last 2 pieces together, my heart started to race. Ever wondered if sewing gives you a rush? It did for me tonight! How crazy! And while I was mid-project, I stepped on a sewing pin and it went into my foot diagonally at the back of my arch toward my heel. Only a quarter inch of the pin was sticking out of my foot! I had to just grab and pull hard and fast to get it out. Sewing is an exciting, dangerous experience.


Instead of using a 2-inch foam for this cushion, I used 2 1-inch foams because it's way cheaper. Smith's Marketplace has the best price by far on foam pads. I got the fabric from Home Fabrics in Midvale. I love that store for home dec fabric. The back of the store has an awesome clearance section and I scored this blue animal print for 3 bucks a yard. I bought the piping there, too. I didn't have to add the piping but it makes it look great. I believe with all my heart and soul that little details add a ton to the overall effect of a project, a home, an outfit, or whatever. Details take things from good to WOW.

 I even put a zipper in; my 2nd zipper ever. I've been sewing for almost 2 decades and I've avoided zippers like crazy. They are not hard! And now this cushion cover is washable.

Preslie has a comfy place to sit and read, and a perfect spot for all the fun pillows her Grandma made for her. How cool of a Grandma is that to make tons of darling pillows.

 Spoiled girl. She has the coolest room in the house.

Now do you think I'm done with this room? Think again! I still have one.. ok, two more details to add that are going to make this room super fun! I'm excited!

Oh, I totally need to shout out to my Mom who was my tech support for this cushion project. I called her 8-10 times throughout the making of this project. She is a sewing GENIUS and helped me a ton to know what steps to do first, then 2nd, etc. She gave me tips for sewing the piping around the corners and putting in the zipper. Thank you, Mom! What a great teacher over the phone!

Another huge thank you goes to my Father-in-law for building this awesome window seat that warranted a fun cushion. He has built a lot of things for me and this (aside from my house) might be the coolest one.

I'm crossing this off my project list and moving onto the next one! No one stop me!

Mom time out

I am loving November. October was... SO busy. Too busy. November 1st came and it was such a calm day. I had no appointments, time constraints, pending projects, deadlines. All of November has been so refreshing. I've really tried to enjoy it and not rush into mad Holiday mode.

You know how kids have to get put in time out and they hate it? I would love it if I was getting out-of-control and someone said, HEY- go to time out. and I got to go to my quiet room by myself and think. Well I had 2 Mom time-outs recently. The first one came after a phone conversation with a friend of mine. I was alone after I'd put my kids to bed. My house was trashed, my husband was out-of-town, and I had a huge list of things to do for primary and Halloween. Plus trying to run my house, teach piano, and care for my kids mostly by myself. I was tired, over-worked, underpaid, and depressed. I tried not to let on to my friend how crappy I felt but I must not be a good actress because the next morning, she showed up with another friend of ours, and said "We're here to rescue you! Get out of here and go for a run." I was so embarrassed, humbled, and grateful. I started to bawl. My friends gave me hugs (which made me cry harder) and I put on my running shoes and left (they wouldn't take no for an answer). It is hard to describe the feelings I had. I was humiliated. But also amazed that my friends took the time to care for me. I felt so loved but so silly that my friends had to come bail me out--that I couldn't just take care of things myself. I will never forget what they did. A simple act of kindness. They gave me a time out that I really needed!

Time out number 2 came when I dropped my kids off at my parents'. My sis-in-law Abbey picked me up and we went to St. George. No kids, uninterrupted conversation. We met up with my MIL and Abbey's Mom for Time Out For Women. We had so much fun. 3000 women at the Dixie Center and no one got lost or freaked out because of the crowds. The messages were funny, entertaining, and inspiring.

They ended up buying the same shirt!

 

Our downtime included shopping, yacking our heads off, and eating delicious salads for every meal.  Fun bonding time with cool ladies!


This salad was amazing. George's Corner Restaurant - St. George

Mom's need to send themselves to time out more often. People don't usually give us time out unless we ask for it, plan it, arrange for the kids and the husband to be taken care of and then make it happen. It takes work for Moms to have a break. But we need to do it! We should remember to take care of the person who takes care of everyone else!

Yabba-Dabba-Coo-Coo!

 Halloween makes you do crazy things! Like make 4 costumes so everyone can be a Flinstone character..

 Or buy this ridiculous barrel of cheese balls for school parties..

 Or wear a stinky rubber mask for 2 hours while you knock on doors..

 

Or let your child eat this much candy..

 

Or teach 23 4th graders to Monster Mash while wearing a cave woman dress..

Or answer your door hundreds of times to give strangers free stuff..

 

But we sure enjoy it!

And tiny kids will get full-sized candy bars because they are just so cute!

 Hope your Halloween was happy!

Ray of Sunshine

With all the birthdays going on at our house last month, I realized that I never posted about Quinn! That is what happens when you have this many kids!

Quinn turned 3 on Pioneer day. She is the sweetest child in all the world. My friend calls her "Sunshine" because she just shines with light and goodness. A few women in my family say they would for sure have another baby if it were guaranteed to turn out just like Quinn. I totally agree; she is special. I joke that she is my gift for having Mack. (That is meant in the nicest way.)

siblings playing with Quinn and her new dollhouse

When we asked her what kind of cake she wanted, she said "A Foofa cake!"

 A Foofa cake it is!

Quinn makes everyone so happy. She cheers people up and is kind an caring to those around her. Here are a few pics to make you happy!

Everyone in our family adores little Quinney babe!



Quinn is musical! She is always singing and is a great dancer.

Quinn loves her Daddy! And HE is smitten by her.

great at coloring! she won a coloring contest last month at our grocery store!

 We love our little Sweetheart! It has been 3 years of joy having her in our family!

Trash to Treasure (a peek inside my closet!)

Oh yes I did! I turned a baby gate that I took out of my neighbor's trash can...

 

into a super functional jewelry organizer..

 Every necklace, bracelet, and pair of earrings is now out where I can see them. Accessorizing has never been so efficient! WHY didn't I do this sooner? I had another organization system that worked OK, but I didn't love it. I love this. This wall was totally bare and now it is the most useful wall in my house (probably). I was going to make my jewelry organization all cute like I've seen on home dec blogs but then it HIT me. Just screw in some mug hooks and attach the thing to the wall. Oh my goodness...I love my closet now! And who cares if it isn't cute. It is a means to an end...that end being that I can be the one that looks cute...right?!

 So after I organized the jewelry, I just kept going on the rest of my closet. I'm hoping others in my family catch the bug..

 It is kinda embarrassing posting pics of my closet because I am well aware that I have a ton of shoes. And clothes. But remember, I'm a thrifter. I don't pay full price for anything. I have around 60 shirts hanging on the top rod in my closet. 50 of them I got from thrift stores or yard sales or clearance racks. The other 10 were from discount stores like Ross.

So are you motivated to go clean and organize your closet? DO IT! It is so much fun to get ready now.
Love, Tristie

blog vomit

BulAAAAAAAAAHHHH! That is what I feel like doing right now. Life.Is.Nuts. In a totally good way. Better than a totally bad way. But still NUTS. Where to start?

BIRTHDAY SEASON: Dax's birthday kicks off our crazy fall birthday season. I made him a DE-lux cheesecake (the thing weighed 8 pounds) and then I got super cranky that evening. So..awesome wife award over here! Dax is a sexy 35-year-old beast. (Ha, I just made Dax's parents blush by calling their son sexy.)

Next: Mack turned 6. Yes, six. He is still frozen in my mind at 2 or 3. He has blossomed and become so darn dutiful and smart and tall.

He says the GREATEST stuff, folks. Always has. I put a lot of his quotes on Facebook for my dearest friends and semi-aquaintences to enjoy. So you should totally friend me if you like to laugh at Facebook posts and not get riled up by politics or bummed out by people's bad days. Here are a couple cute things he's said recently...

Dax: I picked Quinn a cute dress to wear
Mack: Did you make the dress?
Dax: No
Mack: Well, you should try that.

While eating dinner the other night... " Mom, are these white things on the bun seeds to plant buns?"

Mack made a coupon for Hunter's birthday that said, "This coupon is good for a free hug without bashing your face."

And that leads us to Hunter's birthday. I've had this darling son for a decade! Wowsers. He is a great kid. I asked a few people to write a "top 10" list about Hunter and I got some great responses. I got choked up reading them because Hunter really is a tender and sweet person with a sharp mind and a good heart. I sometimes forget how great he is because he doesn't demand near the amount of attention that my other kids do.  Here are a couple of the lists I received about Hunter.

Mya and Abbeys Top 10 reasons of why Hunter is an awesome cousin and nephew

10. He plays games with us

9. He makes us laugh when we are sad

8. He has some rad dance moves and can break dance really good

7. He is super smart and knows a lot of things

6. He is kind to everyone around him

5. He is awesome at video games and teaches other how to play

4. He is caring to and aware of little children

3. He tells some really awesome jokes

2. He has a contagious smile that makes other people feel good

1. He is the most tender and loving boy I know.

 

Ten Top Reasons Why Grandma Warner Loves Hunter

10. When Hunter is around the yogurt never gets old or moldy.

9. I believe if you give Hunter enough Legos he could build anything.

8. I like the way Hunter obeys rules and does his best.

7. Hunter let me speak at his baptism.

6. I like the way Hunter laughs when he blows Grandma’s mind with his MasterMind skills.

5. Hunter gives the best hugs ever.

4. I love when Hunter will come and snuggle with me.

3. I remember when Hunter learned to ride his bike. He would circle the neighborhood riding farther each day. I love his determination.

2. I love the twinkle in Hunters beautiful blue eyes when he gets a great idea.

# l top reason that I like Hunter is that he has cold hands and he’s not afraid to put them on Grandma's sizzling hot feet. I just love that boy!

 

October is also hunting season in a major way. Not only is it Dax's job to be about the deer hunt, but it is also his hobby. Hel-LO?! Deer hunters totally forget that October is supposed to be about Halloween. I only pulled ONE of my totes of decorations out. It is a travesty that we've been too busy to decorate properly. My kids haven't even decided what they are being for Halloween; we usually decide in August... I'm freaking out! I'm in charge of my boys' class Halloween parties, which I'm looking forward to. Dax took the day off a long time ago. Good husband.

 

Our ward split at the beginning of the month. Dax was called to the Young Men's presidency and I got put in as Primary secretary. Busiest calling I've ever had. You know how when you get a calling, someone before you hands you a binder with all the info you need inside it? I don't. There is no binder. I had to make a binder. And type all the stuff that goes in that binder. And make a binder for all the teachers in the primary and type their lists, too. Because we are a brand new ward that never existed until now. The amount of organization it takes to run an auxilary (and a whole ward) is astonishing. I have a new appreciation for all who have served in any calling ever. It is truly amazing how a 100% volunteer organization runs as well as does The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I know the Lord's hand guides each faithful saint who is willing to serve. I've felt Him guide me. I hope it continues. I feel like hiring a secretary for myself because I truly cannot get a handle on everything that needs to be done in my calling and in my home. I am stretched beyond what I am capable of doing on my own. I am grateful to know that Heavenly Father will magnify me and my abilities. I know I am being prepared for some future responsibility. I am learning tons and being humbled to my core. But I am honored to be one to help move this work forward.

 Other October highlights...These two boys ran the "Spook Scoot" which is a fundraiser race that our high school's cross country team puts on every year. They ran the race as M&Ms but here they are in their rad T-shirts..

 We went up the mountain (twice) to cut wood for the winter. I am not looking forward to being cold. Even if it's bitter outside, I will be hot by my fireplace!

 Hunter had a couple buddies over for a "hang out" and they played this game I found online. You make a "scaffolding" with 2 pencils and a long string tied to each end. Then you put a Skittle on it and raise up the pencils by pulley system over each ear and eat it when it's within chomping range. It is quite challenging for the youngsters but they had a great time.

Soccer season was totally insane and really fun this year. Three kids in soccer is my limit. If Quinn wants to play next year, I'm going to start drinking Red Bulls. Mack really got into the game this year and scored a bunch of goals. He is fun to watch. But also terrifying because he would get enraged if his team kicked it out-of-bounds and he would start screaming and yelling mean stuff about his teammates. Never a dull moment around here, people.

 

Lastly, Preslie ran for 6th grade student council and won! She rapped her campaign speech. She is such a spunky, fun daughter. We share many hobbies like design and thrifting. She's always had a great sense of style and I love that we can share clothes and shoes right now.

I better go attempt to put the pieces of my house together so I can begin a new day tomorrow! A day packed with everything-and everyone I love!